This article was originally published on March 27, 2019
As students start to think about what kind of school they want to learn in, they wonder, would it help to go to a single-gender school? When they are considering this path of education, they should consider both the pros and cons of this type of schooling.
Single-gendered schools come with many pros. Founder of the 1,000 Dreams Fund, Christie Garton believes that a single-gender education can be helpful, for girls, especially. She believes that girls can create better relationships with each other with the absence of boys. Without boys, girls can concentrate more on their schoolwork which will help the girls later on in their future. Also, girls can speak up and have their opinions heard in an environment where they can be more comfortable.
[Source: Associated Press, Morry Gash]
Other than these benefits, there are other great things about single-gender schools. In an all-girl environment, girls can start to build more confidence. Taking leadership positions, being the star athletes, and earning academic scholarships help the girls build the confidence that they have the potential to do anything that a boy can do. As the list goes on, without boys, there tends to be less disciplinary problems, and girls don’t focus on appearances as much, which helps them focus on their studies. Lastly, stereotypes like girls do music and poetry and boys do math, science, and coding do not form in single-gender schools.
There are many benefits of single-gendered schools, but they also have some cons. Without being exposed to the other gender, once students join the workforce, their interactions with the other gender can be very limited. In a working space, both genders must be able to work well together, peacefully, respectfully, and equally so that they are able to work as one team. However, if the worker is only comfortable with his/her gender, they could struggle with workplace dynamics. So, getting to know the other gender earlier in schooling, could help students in their future.
[Source: Associated Press, Ben Margot]
In conclusion, there are benefits to attending or not attending a single-gender school, but when making a decision, it is very important to each individual student. Knowing how each student personally learns best is the best way to have a brighter future that the student will enjoy.
Rosalia Park, Grade 8
Rosemont Middle School
